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It's important to help your employees understand the realities of the current business environment, Laura Wegscheid writes. Give them information about the company's financial situation, and try to create a sense of stability, she writes. "An uncertain business climate means employees will be guessing about plenty; don't make them have to guess about your leadership."

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Crooks are targeting companies large and small with phishing e-mails, which are designed to extract sensitive data or spread malware, Riva Richmond writes. Use anti-virus software and make use of software designed to fight phishing, she writes. Training employees about how to pick out phishing messages is also important.

Retaining employees can be difficult for small businesses, so it's important to hire interns and outsource certain tasks, writes Gladys Edmunds. "[B]efore you turn your work over to an outside source that you are unfamiliar with, contact people you know to see who they use," she recommends. Reaching out to local schools can help you to find interns, she writes.

Saving money is more valuable for business owners than making a sale worth the same amount, Rich Russakoff and Mary Goodman write. You should have someone examine each bill to make sure it is correct, they write. Also be sure to compare your contracts with vendors with the invoices you receive.

Marketing often involves costs beyond the rate charged by your vendors, writes Jeanne Rossomme of RoadMap Marketing. To manage these expenses, figure out what your goals are, and put together a large project, she writes. "A larger project ... is more attractive to any vendor and more likely to bring a better price quote and better response."

Employees might appreciate parties and extra time off during the holiday season, but most of them would rather have a little extra cash, writes Michael Hess of Skooba Design. "I'm not talking about a Wall Street bonus ... just handle it as is appropriate for your business. If your employees know you're genuinely thinking of them and doing what you can, whatever you can afford will be appreciated," he writes.